Vacation Packing List

In one week I will be soaking up the sun in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic! Being half-Dominican and having visited before, I know what to expect but I still have to prepare myself mentally and organizationally before we leave.

We are taking a red eye out of LAX to Miami before hopping over to the island to spend 7 wonderful days in the sun. With that in mind, I looked through many sites online and on Pintrest trying to find the right packing list for my trip. I have special circumstances with the red eye (which I HATE!! I can never sleep on planes…) and I couldn’t find a single list that I could use in its entirety, so I am out to create my own and share it with the interwebs.

The first thing to think about when you’re booking an international trip is to make sure your passport is current. Remember that it could take up to 6 weeks to get a passport once you fill out the paperwork and turn it in. Since I procrastinated was slow to change my last name on everything once Cole and I got married (2 years ago….), I had to make sure I booked our trip under my maiden name since I haven’t updated my passport yet. I have to remember to go through the security checkpoints at the airport with my passport instead of my ID, since my ID is in my married name and my passport is still in my maiden name, as is my ticket. As long as your name matches on ticket & passport, you’re good to go. Also, make sure your passport will be current for the full length of your trip. You don’t want to get stuck in customs on your way back home!!

Once you have your passport in hand, you can relax until the week before your trip (which is where I’m at right now!!). Now’s the fun part…planning what to pack for your vacation!

First thing’s first…. the carry-on for the red-eye. Since we’re going to a beach destination, I will be packing my beach tote with a few red eye essentials. I will be wearing comfy clothes (leggings and a loose shirt) and flip-flops for overnight, but I don’t want to get to the resort all frumpy!

I also bought an awesome satchel-style camera case on Amazon. It’s big enough to throw my wallet and passport into so I don’t have to worry about the 2 bag policy and I can still have my DSLR with me.

This way I’ll always have my camera with me when I’m out and about! You can find it here.

And now for the pièce de résistance…

The Ultimate Beach Destination Packing List

Clothing

underwear (7 – 9 pairs)

socks (3 – 4 pairs)

bras (2 regular & 1 strapless)

tank tops (4 – 5)

t-shirts (2 – 3)

shorts (4 – 5)

workout clothes for hiking (3 sets)

leggings (2)

pants (2)

pair of jeans

sundresses (1 – 2)

maxi dresses (2 – 3)

cardigan

sleep shirt & shorts

Shoes

flip flops (2)

casual wedges

tennis shoes

Toiletry Kit

contacts and glasses w/ cases

facial wash

facial moisturizer w/ SPF

perfume

shaving supplies

toothbrush/toothpaste

shampoo & conditioner

dry shampoo

deodorant ( a MUST-HAVE for humid climates!!)

hair brush

blow dryer

hair ties & bobby pins

feminine products

Beach Essentials

sun hat

sunglasses

bikinis (2)

one-piece swimsuit

sunscreen

beach tote

Misc.

wristlet purse

fanny pack (for hiking and/or exploring)

umbrella

phone & iWatch chargers

iPad & charger

DSLR camera & charger

extra memory card

Don’t forget to notify your bank that you’ll be leaving the country. You don’t want them to unexpectedly put a hold on your card! It’s a HUGE pain to try and call them when you’re not in the U.S. and not in the same time-zone!! Also throw cash in small bills in your wallet. Upon entering Dominican Republic, you have to pay $10 per traveler for a tourist card before they can release you at customs.

Small bills are also good to have to tip your housekeeper and the bar staff at the resort. If you take care of them, they’ll take REALLY good care of you!